Cycling through the San Pedro river valley

You will start the cycling trip in the same way as the hiking trip to Pucara de Quitor, ie along the gravel road leading north. After a while, you will see both views of the hill above the abandoned Indian pueblo – the closer Puerta del Sol and the more distant Mirador de Cruz.

If your destination is only Garganta del Diablo, you can go on this bike trip practically throughout the day, it is only 6 km in each direction. However, if you are planning a big day trip through the Muerto Valley and the Valle de Luna, it wants to start very soon. In the morning there is also a pleasant temperature and the light is really colorful.

In addition to the interesting rocky landscape around you, you will definitely be interested in the huge local grass Cola de Zoro, which significantly exceeds the surrounding sparse vegetation.

Not only the Devil's Gorge and its surroundings, but practically the entire valley of the San Pedro River is worth exploring. Basically all around you are rock towers and small side canyons, where you won't even meet an animal. From the tops of the adjacent rocks are beautiful views of this red landscape.

The entire Atacama Desert is famous for the huge temperature differences between night and day. When you drive, there will still be frozen streams around you. At noon you will steam again in the incredible heat. The temperature differences here are up to several tens of degrees.

Just before entering the valley, you have no choice but to cross the river. Fortunately, it is not very deep, so you may cross it by bike.

Just two hundred meters from the ford is the entrance to the Garganta del Diablo gorge. You will continue to cycle for a while, but it is better to do your own exploration of this labyrinth.

The actual tour of the gorge will take you at least half an hour, but it can basically take any length of time. It only depends on you how many rock ridges you climb and how many side gorges you visit.

Definitely do not underestimate your own ascents on weathered ridges. The comb can be quite narrow and the path leads along the „live“ gravel. The possibility of falling many altitude meters down is relatively inadvertent.

However, the ascent is definitely worth it – only from here you can enjoy the views of the surrounding fairytale landscape.

Not only on the tops of the ridges, but also directly below it is interesting. There are a lot of rock overhangs and climbing frames. After enjoying it here, you can return the same way back to San Pedro de Atacama or continue on the circuit to the Muerte Valley.